Marianna

Since I saw this pop up again, I thought I would post that we did not take the train but rented a car and drove to Vienna. We enjoyed the drive.

way_to_go

Hi PalenQ: Yes, thanks for the tip, but German Rail site is nearly twice as much as the Czech one, since I specifically want the 9:04 train (nearly $80 compared to almost $40). There are other trains for less later in the day. The German site is my "go to" starting point for researching any trains in Europe, regardless of country, and I go to the other countries' sites to compare after I figure out the schedule and get a baseline of cost (when that's available).

It's on my "to do" list to buy the tickets tomorrow, and I feel comfortable doing it now that I've had Wobbers' explanation.

wobbers

way to go - the ticket you want to buy - remember restrictions - only valid for that particular train, that particular day.
you can't change it, and no refund. So you must be sure of your travel.

miketx

As others have said the problem with the eShop is that you can't buy a first class ticket. After some searching I found a website which does sell first class tickets - www.czechrailwaytickets.com. This seems like the best way to go if you want to book first class tickets in advance.

wobbers

miketx - if you want to waste money then go ahead and use Raileurope = that's where you'll directed to! A single first class ticket on that website (restricted to a particular train and date) costs 57 euros. From Czech railways even on the day it costs only 35 euros.
There is not a single reason why you should buy the tickets in advance, they never sell......
So do yourself a favour and read first what you recommend.

miketx

I can only speak as I find! I sent a few emails to czechrailwaytickets.com with various questions they responded very quickly every time with good advice that helped me plan my trip. In my book excellent customer service should be rewarded.

I'm not trying to book my trip on shoestring, if I was I wouldn't be booking first class. Booking in advance, having my seats secured and not having to waste my time in Prague queuing up for tickets at the station make the price worthwhile for me. I respect that for others the absolute lowest price might be the priority. Horses for courses my friend.

If anyone knows how best to book Budapest to Belgrade I'd welcome advice.

PalenQ

miketx - folks like wobbers are only being really helpful in trying to save others money, but perhaps IMO are sometime blinded to the reasons that a foreign tourist may wish to have everything in order and they just have to board the train. And if RailEurope costs 20 euros more on a ticket that peace of mind could be priceless - and it is not always as easy for a foreign tourist to buy the right ticket - I've heard more than a few cases of misunderstanding and wrong tickets received. That said if you do your homework and print out everything from a source like say www.bahn.de - the German Railways schedule site that has trains all over Europe and just hand it to the clerk makes things easier. And if wishing to go the RE route then i always suggest using the great personal service from the folks at www.budgeteuropetravel.com, whom i have bought railpasses from for years and can attest to that. And RailEurope.com is not the only agent in the U S selling European rail tickets - also try www.acprail.com - the chief compeititor to RailEurope and perhaps having different pricing. They are headquartered in Quebec, Canada but sell thru agents all over the U.S. and directly too.

wobbers

Wobbers does not do cheap, wobbers does not like wasting money when it is not necessary and most people would think the same. Extra 20 euros here and there can amount to quite a lot over a period of holidays.
You are forgetting that those point to point ticket from resellers like Raileurope are only valid for a particular train and if something unexpected happens (be it a 2 hour delay due to say traffic accident) your prepaid ticket is worthless.
Palenq with his zillions of travels over 40 years in Europe still has not picked up any local habits. Shame.
I feel this problem relates mainly to Americans,sorry guys.

PalenQ

again wobbers has shown a complete lack of empathy for some foreign tourists want - everything in order and only have to board the train - and that that is pricelss for some - autistic it seems.

It is great to present the alternatives and help folks save money but it is sad when you just do not get what miketx so well articulated - or did you even read it?

What is a snap for a local may not be a snap for a foreign tourist not speaking the local tongue.

<Wobbers does not do cheap, wobbers does not like wasting money when it is not necessary and most people would think the same> most may but not all and that is your tone deafness - and to say that i have not picked up local habits is just more drivel from you - i indeed would, if i did not have my usual railpass, buy tickets as i go along, much as i do metro tickets, etc. But i can as you cannot understand the desire of some folks to have every little thing buttoned down - the 20 euro or savings for instance they could have by waiting to buy there could cause them worries - again having the ticket and seat reservation to boot could be priceless.

So wobbers get off your high horse IMO and try to understand others - you can keep maligning me I do not care about that - it tells a lot about your intolerance of opposing opinions.

Have a nice day!

PalenQ

You are forgetting that those point to point ticket from resellers like Raileurope are only valid for a particular train and if something unexpected happens (be it a 2 hour delay due to say traffic accident) your prepaid ticket is worthless>

this is patently NOT true - at least do some checking before giving out MISINFORMATION - some of those tickets come with seat reservations but only IF a train requires mandatory seat reservations - many of the tickets are fully flexible tickets - like many in Germany and even I think Austria.

Duh!